Two puppy siblings have been reunited after a year apart, thanks to a chance turn of events.
Jessie and Luther are one-year-old Rottweiler/Boxer/German Shepherd cross breeds who, when they were very young, were sold by a breeder in Huddersfield. Luther turned out to be the lucky one, as he went off to live with Reverend Mark Broomhead, his family and their older dog in Chesterfield.
Sadly, Jessie's fate has not been quite so fairytale. After eight months, Jessie's first family felt that she wasn't the right breed for them and handed her into a Dogs Trust shelter in Leeds. Jessie was then matched with two potential families but they both found it hard to help the misunderstood pup settle in and returned her to the shelter within just 24 hours.
Unsurprisingly, the stress of Jessie's turbulent first year has left her with some specific behavioural needs.
But, after Luther's family's older dog sadly passed away, Reverend Mark Broomhead went to Dogs Trust Leeds on the hunt for another four-legged companion – and fate brought the siblings back together.
"Luther was so sad after we lost our dog Storm so we started looking for another family dog to keep him company. We spoke to the breeder who originally sold us Luther and they said they thought one of his littermates had been handed in to Dogs Trust Leeds. We had a look, checked some details and sure enough, Jessie was Luther’s sister," said Reverend Broomhead.
"We took Luther along with us to the rehoming centre to meet Jessie and the connection was instant. I don’t know whether they recognised each other but they just ran around playing together and there was no apprehension at all. We had to take her home."
Jessie and Luther had a few playdates at the centre before she was able to go home for one night with the family to celebrate the puppy's first birthday in September. The stay went so well that the adoption has since been made official.
"Jessie was very skittish and nervous when she first arrived but she’s settled in to our family very quickly and she’s like a different dog now. Her personality is shining through and she’s a very cuddly and affectionate dog!
"Luther and Jessie just adore each other. They love to chase each other, play tug of war and go for walks together. They can’t be separated. They give us so much and have definitely helped to keep us sane during lockdown and all the challenging events of this year," said Reverend Broomhead.
What a heart-warming story!
A note from Dogs Trust...
Dogs Trust rehoming centres are currently closed to members of the public but we are still able to rehome some of our dogs, using our socially distanced ‘handover at home’ process. If you have space in your heart to give a dog a new home, now and after lockdown, check out our website to see who’s up for adoption.
We estimate that up to 40,000 more dogs could need support as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Experience tells us that many dog owners will face the heartbreaking decision to give up their dog. We want to change the tale and be there when dogs and their owners need us most.
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28 wonderful Christmas presents for dogs
Every dog needs a tennis ball. Designed for fun and endless fetch, these balls from Pets At Home are just the right size for your dog to grip and go. And we can't get enough of the fun patterned designs either.
Both a fun way to keep your furry friend entertained and a tasty treat for them, this jolly Christmas tree lickmat with accompanying cranberry and turkey paste will certainly get them in the festive spirit.
Something they can wear all year round, this charming handmade dog bandana scarf comes in a number of lovely patterns and colours, from gingham and stripes, to polka dots and florals.
Or why not kit them out for the festivities with this super cute bowtie. At just £4, it would also make a fantastic stocking filler.
Put turkey on the menu for your dog this Christmas with these delicious dog treats. The heart-shaped and hand baked turkey and cranberry soft bites are perfect for your pet to join in with the feasting. Plus, each dog treat can be broken in two for smaller dogs – or to make them last that bit longer.
And you can keep their favourite treats fresh with this handy glass treat jar. With space to add their name and birth year, this is one of our favourite personalised picks.
With rope arms and legs, this sweet bear toy is the ultimate Christmas present for your dog. Aptly named Spencer Bear™, it's the ultimate tug-of-war companion for your pooch.
We're certain your pet will love this small pet collar, featuring a pretty dandelion print. Ideal for small breeds, it has a buckle clasp and hook for your lead.
Enrichment Set - Liki Mat Brain Training For Dogs
Train your pup over the holidays with this clever enrichment set. The perfect sensory activity for keeping dogs engaged, each pack comes complete with a mat, tube of liver paste and one tub of liki mat sprinkles.
Created for comfort, this stylish dog bed from John Lewis has comfort at its heart. With a plain design on one side and classic gingham on the other, it is made from 100% cotton and filled with polyester.
With rainy weather here to stay, this waterproof dog coat from Regatta is what every pet parent needs. The stylish blue check design will also make it easier to spot your pup when out and about.
This dog bowl combines style and functionality in one elegant design. Featuring two bowls for food and water, it can also be personalised with your dog's name.
This set of 10 chew toys for dogs has been designed to distract anxious pups. Each pack contains a variety of rope toys, including a fun carrot-shaped tug and pink teddy bear.
Keep your furry friends refuelled with Lily's Kitchen Breaktime Biscuits. This box features eight packets for your pets to snack on during the day.
We love this tweed and fleece dog bed from the Country Living Marketplace. With six sizes to choose from, the bed boasts thick memory foam pads and high sides to offer support.
Nina Ottosson Dog Worker Level 3 Dog Puzzle Toy
Ideal for keeping energetic and excitable pups entertained and slowing down those who ordinarily race through their food, this interactive puzzle toy will keep them occupied for hours.
Keep your furry friend safe and secure with this soft dog harness. It has a scratch-resistant outer layer, nylon webbing to ensure good visibility at night, a sturdy handle, and a comfortable and ergonomic design. It's available in five different sizes and a range of colours.
This soft dog bed, made from non-toxic materials, has been designed to keep anxious dogs calm. It has a silky feeling, a raised rim to create a sense of security, and head and neck support for when they are sleeping. But that's not all: the super-soft filling offers joint and muscle pain relief to relieve a pet's anxiety. Clever!
Excellent for aggressive chewers, this blue chew toy helps pups to release their extra energy by chewing. Suitable for larger breeds, it also helps them to develop healthy chewing habits that can clean their teeth, relieve anxiety and reduce boredom.
With the cold weather well and truly here, this super soft pet blanket is great for keeping your dog warm when the temperatures tumble. We think it would make a wonderful Christmas present.
Perfect for dark winter walks, this light-up dog collar will keep your dog safe and seen. It works for over eight hours of lighting per full charge and is available in a range of colours.
In bright red, this toy is incredible for dogs who like to chew while also playing. Ideal for keeping aggressive chewers occupied, it is available in six different sizes, allowing you to tailor it exactly to your pup.
Coming complete with three tail-wagging retrieval toys, they work equally as well in the water as they do on land, making them a great pick for pups that love to play while out on their daily walks.
Buzzing with bees, this khaki-hued small dog bed is the perfect place for pooches to recline on.
Perfect for a game of tug of war or keeping them entertained by themselves thanks to its fun squeaker, this is one toy you can bring out year after year.
Want to treat your dog to something luxurious this Christmas? OUAI's animal range includes this gentle pet shampoo for pampered pets.
If you're looking for a personalised dog toy but don't want to shell out too much, this great option has 80 pre-stitched names to choose from. But don't worry if your dog's name isn't one of them, there's also the 'best dog ever' title which we're sure your four legged friend is.
Emma-Louise Pritchard is the Membership Director for Country Living UK & House Beautiful UK, previously Executive Digital Editor for Country Living UK. Emma-Louise is a digital expert specialising in content strategy, social media and newsletters. Her topics include sustainability, homes and interiors, gardening, health and wellbeing, pets, travel and countryside news. She has previously written for Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan and has won several awards, from AOP Digital Editor of the Year 2019 to PPA 30 Under 30. Emma-Louise studied at Cardiff University where she completed an MA in Magazine Journalism.
